The Diary of a Madman
A middle-aged man, a government official, lives with his mother and sister. He's been isolated from society for years due to his supposed madness. The story revolves around his inner world, where he has created an alternate reality, free from societal norms and expectations. His diary entries reveal a complex and disturbing personality, as he navigates this internal world, often blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1884 · Genre: Psychological Horror, Gothic Fiction, Crime Fiction · 1,990 words
First lines
He was dead -- the head of a high tribunal, the upright magistrate, whose irreproachable life was a proverb in all the courts of France. Advocates, young counselors, judges had saluted, bowing low in token of profound respect, remembering that grand face, pale and thin, illumined by two bright, deep-set eyes.
He had passed his life in pursuing crime and in protecting the weak. Swindlers and murderers had no more redoubtable enemy, for he seemed to read in the recesses of their souls their most secret thoughts.
What this Textopian page supports
The Diary of a Madman is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1884 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Guy de Maupassant
- Date: 1884 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Psychological Horror, Gothic Fiction, Crime Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Short Story
- Length: 1,990 words
- Structure: 1 section, 42 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Diary of a Madman by Guy de Maupassant
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Diary of a Madman?
- How does this short story by Guy de Maupassant fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Psychological Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Psychological Horror — The narrative delves into the mind of a madman, exploring themes of insanity, murder, and the dark recesses of human psychology.
- Gothic Fiction — The story features elements of horror and the grotesque, with a focus on the macabre and the exploration of the human psyche.
- Crime Fiction — The plot revolves around murder and the protagonist's criminal actions, examining the nature of crime and justice.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text raises existential questions about life, death, and morality, reflecting on the nature of existence and human behavior.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Short Story · Madness · Insanity · Paranoia · Dark Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · French Literature · Realism · Existential Crisis · Identity Crisis